by Harte, Jenna
“I love you, Tess.” He lowered his lips to hers, kissing her with such tenderness and love, it made all her reservations melt away. She knew they would have bumps in their relationship, but if she trusted in him they'd work them out. He pulled back, looked down on her again. “You won't be sorry.”
“You might be.”
He smiled. “Never. I was terrified you wouldn't forgive me.”
“Anyone who is willing to ask for help from his nemesis and face his phobia has to be serious.”
“The flying part was hard.” He gave her his pitiful look.
“Poor baby.”
“I think you enjoyed watching me suffer.”
“Maybe a little.”
“It was worth it,” he said.
He kissed her again, because he could. Because he needed to.
“So, what happens now?” he asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Want to go on a date?”
Tess' brows grew together. “We don't have to start at the beginning. And I don't need romance.”
“We're in New York. And I'm hungry.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“Do you trust me?”
“Absolutely.”
He grinned, kissed her again, and then took her out for an evening on the town.
~~~~
One thing Tess loved about Jack was that he was romantic, but not in the traditional way. Sure, he kept her stocked with chocolate, but when it came to other romantic gestures, he always surprised her. He could have taken her to the fanciest, most expensive restaurant in Manhattan, but instead he took her for pizza.
“You won't ever have pizza as good as Lombardi's,” he explained.
After eating it, she suspected he was right.
They headed back uptown to Rockefeller Center, where he paid for a trip to the top of The Rock.
“I know the Empire State Building is the romantic one,” he said. “But when you're at the top of the Empire State, you can't actually see it.”
He was right about that too, as she looked at the famous building in the twilight, with brightly colored lights decorating its facade.
The evening was warm, the city vibrant, so they decided to walk the few blocks back to the hotel. He lifted their linked hands and kissed her knuckles. “I should have done more of this for you.”
“You kiss my hand a lot. In fact, I wash them more so you don't get germs.”
He grinned down at her. “That's not what I meant, but thank you. What I meant was court you.”
“I don't need that,” she said as they walked into the lobby of their hotel.
“But you mentioned once that we didn't date.”
“I know. But I didn't mean that I needed romance and flowers. I thought we needed dating to get to know each other better before living together.”
They stepped into the elevator and Jack pressed the button for their floor. “And now?”
“And now, I figure I know you and you know me pretty well. Not that I don't sometimes feel like I'm on a roller coaster, but dating would have simply delayed the inevitable.”
He pulled her to him and held her. “Inevitable, eh?”
She tilted her head back to gaze into his brilliant eyes. “Jack, I may have been afraid, but I've always loved you and hoped that everything you promised would come true.”
“I can't tell you how much your saying that means to me.” As if to prove it he pulled her close again, held her tight.
The doors of the elevator opened. He took her hand, led her to her room. Outside her door, he kissed her, and Tess got the feeling he was dropping her off.
“I think I remember you saying something about getting lucky,” she said.
Heat flashed in his eyes. “I didn't mean that kind of lucky. I was hoping for another chance. I’m not blowing it this time.”
“You weren't sure you'd get a second chance, hence the two rooms?”
He shrugged. “I didn't want to presume.”
“That's not like you.”
“It's amazing what someone can do when properly motivated.”
“And what about now?”
“What about now?”
“Are you going to presume now? Or do you need some motivation?” Before he could answer, she cut him off with a kiss. She gripped his shirt and pulled him close, pressing her body against his to let him know she wanted him to stay. She smiled when he groaned, but then he pulled away. At first, Tess worried. Had she missed something? Hadn't they made up? But when she looked into his blue-green eyes she saw desire mixed with uncertainty.
“Why the long face?”
“Because.” His voice sounded tight.
“Because why?”
“Because I want to do the right thing.”
“Making love would be wrong?”
“Yes. No. I mean…” He exhaled a long breath. “A few days ago you moved out because things were going too fast. You wanted to slow down…I'm trying to keep it slow.”
“I don't want slow.” She surprised him by slipping her fingers in his waistband and pulling him back to her.
“Tess.”
“I know now that we can't slow down or go back. I have to trust in you and me, in us.”
He grinned, looking ridiculously happy. Why did she question his love for her when looking at him, the way he looked at her made it so clear? He grabbed the key card from her hand and opened the door. Once it was closed, she found her back against the door, Jack's hard body pressed against hers. She wrapped her arms around him and was pleased when without hesitation, he picked her up and moved to the bedroom. He tossed her on the bed and then he fell on top of her.
“Are you sure you're up to this?” she teased.
“You tell me.” He pulled her to him so she could feel for herself.
Her eyes widened. “Oh, my.” Tess slipped her hands under his shirt, letting them reacquaint themselves to the shape and feel of his strong body.
“You want me bad,” he said as her hands moved quickly, impatiently over him.
“You don’t even know how bad.”
His eyes turned feral, as he pushed her, rose over her. “Don’t tell me. I’m going to find out for myself.” His hand slipped under the waistband of her skirt, dipped under her panties.
“That’s bad,” he whispered as his fingers found that one exquisite spot.
Tess moaned.
“I want to see you,” he said, working quickly to get them both naked. Tess helped, wanting to feel flesh on flesh, flesh in flesh.
She heard his quick intake of breath and then a curse. She opened her eyes to find him staring down at her chest. His fingers brushed over the long bruise made by her seatbelt when she had her accident.
His eyes lifted to hers. “I didn't realize…” He cursed again. “I was selfish and didn't think.”
“Think what? It's just a bruise.”
“I didn't realize how bad you were hurt. I should have asked, but I was so—”
“Jack.” She reached up, held his face in her palms. She thought of several things she could say to alleviate his guilt, but ultimately she decided it wouldn't matter. So she went with “Make love to me.”
His eyes held hers for a moment, then he dipped his head and traced the bruise with his lips.
“This is a celebration, Valentine,” she said, wanting to snap him out of his mood. “Don't touch me like you're trying to heal me or make amends. Touch me like you mean it.”
He looked up at her, with one brow lifted.
“Did you miss me too?” she asked.
“Desperately.”
“That's how I want you to touch me.”
His hands slid up her sides, cupped her breasts. “I did miss these,” he said as his thumbs skimmed over their distended tips, causing her body to arch to him. She knew he was watching her reaction to his touch. At one time, it embarrassed her. Now she understood it was part of what brought him pleasure. So she didn't hold back. She let her body
react, respond to his touch.
“How's that?” he asked.
“More.”
He followed his thumbs with his mouth and Tess was sure she was in heaven. He had a fabulous, talented mouth and she told him so. He rewarded her by using it everywhere; her breasts, her wrists, her ankles, her thighs and in between. He built the tension, it was torture and pleasure all mixed into one until he sent her flying.
“How's that?” he asked, moving up her body, kissing her hard.
“More,” she managed.
“Is it any wonder I love you?”
She caught her breath, grabbed him, and sought to show him how much she loved him. With a sense of joy and wistfulness, they gave pleasure and took delight in each other. They rolled and tumbled, nipped and nibbled, they squeezed and clung, until she shuddered in his arms again.
“How's that?” he asked.
“More.”
They rolled until she was over him. Their bodies sleek and damp slid together joining as one. Jack levered up, wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her closer, closer. His hands gripped her waist, helping as she moved, up, down, around, in a dance all their own.
They rolled again and she was on her back looking up into stormy eyes. He held her hands in his, pushing them over her head. He slid in again, long and deep. He kissed her the same way. She didn't know where he got the control, but somehow he kept his movements slow and smooth. She could feel the shimmer of pleasure growing again. They made the ascent together and then not wanting it to be over yet, they held each other at the tortuous pinnacle. Over and over again, they took each other to the edge only to hold off until neither could hold back any more. They moved together, reaching higher and higher until pleasure pierced, sharp and fierce.
“Wow!” Jack said when he finally found his voice.
She'd have echoed the sentiment if she had the energy.
He rolled off her, but pulled her to him. Completely sated, she settled into the curve of his body. She felt his lips as they kissed her closed eyelids.
“I'm glad you didn't make me wait.”
“I don't know why you thought I would,” she said.
“I guess I thought I owed you more, needed to make up for more.”
She managed the energy to open her eyes. “I don't want you to feel like you have make something up to me or that you have to jump through hoops. I was partly to blame too.”
“I can't promise I won't mess up again, but I can promise that I won't second-guess you or dismiss you. You said earlier that Asa was always an issue between Helen and Tom, but Liv is not an issue between us. Not anymore.”
“Did something happen?”
“If you're asking if I learned something that could help your investigation, the answer is no. I always knew that Liv wasn't very deep, but when I really thought about what you said and considered her behavior, I realized I was wrong to doubt you. I don't know if she killed Charles. I'd still be surprised if she did, but she definitely is playing some sort of game and I don't want to be a part of it. I guess you already know about the baby.”
Guilt consumed Tess as she remembered betraying Jack's confidence by sharing Liv's baby news with Daniel. “About it not being Charles'? Yes.”
“I know Daniel wasn't supposed to say anything, but when he said there was no way that baby could have been Charles', I not only felt duped, but also guilt over the way I treated you. How could I have been so dense?”
“I've been wondering that same thing.”
He grinned. “How do you put up with me?”
“You kiss good.”
“At least I've got one good thing going for me.”
Tess smiled, but underneath she felt fear. She needed to come clean about what she'd told Daniel. Would her confession destroy their reunion?
“Jack?”
“Hmm?” His hand had made its way back to her breast, distracting him.
“I told Daniel about Liv's baby.”
“What about it?”
His thumb skimmed over the tip, nearly making Tess' thoughts dissipate from her brain. She took his hand in hers to stop the sensuous caresses. “I didn't know about the baby until you told me. I'm the one who told Daniel. I might not have except that I knew Charles had had a vasectomy.” She glanced down, unable to look him in the eyes. “It doesn't prove she killed him. She has an alibi, so I don't know why I thought it was important, but—”
“It's okay, Tess.”
She looked up into his blue-green eyes and saw understanding. “First of all, Daniel never brought it up. Liv did. That means you didn't need to confess all this.”
“But I did. You told me about being with Liv when she was married and about the kiss.”
“I'm glad you told me. And I'm glad you told Daniel. That bit of news pushed me to recognize what a mistake I was making.”
“You're not mad?”
“No.” He gave her his best smile, dimple and all. “I'm not mad.”
“This trip is a bust too. Turns out I owe you an apology. There's no way Liv killed Charles.”
“No. Liv's up to something. Maybe not murder, but there's something going on in her head.”
Tess remembered Shelby's comment about Liv needing a sugar daddy. She wondered if Jack realized that he was Liv’s next conquest.
“But I don't think the trip's a bust. Here we are back together, catching our breath after some spectacular sex and we're in New York City. Plus I got to see where women come to get detailed.”
“Some women, I suppose. Not all women are so concerned with their chassis.”
“I love your chassis.” He reached down and gave her backside a squeeze.
Tess slipped her hand down his abdomen and lower. “And I like your stick.”
“Careful counselor, I'm about to shift gears.”
Chapter Seventeen
Jack slipped from bed the next morning, not wanting to leave Tess sleeping alone, but his growling stomach would eventually wake her, he was sure. He put on one of the complimentary robes and laid the other one on the bed. He found paper in the bedside table and wrote a note: Don't bother getting dressed. He set the note on the robe.
He headed to the main area of the suite to find something to eat. In the mini-fridge he found some chocolate chip cookies and grabbed another bottle of water. This time when he looked down over Central Park, he was happy. Now he could take Tess for a walk, hold her hand as they strolled through the park. Nah, he thought. They did the city last night. Instead, he wanted to spend their last few hours in New York naked in bed.
He finished his cookie and drank the rest of his water. Then he picked up the hotel phone and called down to the concierge. He made arrangements for breakfast and considered climbing back into bed with Tess. But she'd looked so tired the night before and she'd fallen asleep almost immediately after he'd made love to her again. So he decided to let her rest.
He couldn't believe his stroke of luck. When he'd convinced Daniel to help, the best he'd hoped for was that Tess would allow him to accompany her during the day and maybe go to dinner with him. Her behavior on the plane had him thinking he wouldn't get any of that. And then all of a sudden, she forgave him. She didn't put conditions on him or expect to start over. She'd jumped back in right where they'd left off when things were good. It only highlighted how much he underestimated her.
Having her in his arms again was like heaven. Except for the bruises. He hadn't realized how bad her accident was until he saw the long bluish-green bruise crossing between her breasts. It wasn't the only injury he discovered either. She had bruises on her arms and a strange mark that looked like a burn on her shoulder and upper back. Seeing them increased his guilt that he hadn't asked her about the accident when she first told him about it. Instead he'd focused on why she'd been in Bucks County and got angry at her. He cursed himself for his selfishness. It was another area he'd need to work on. Hopefully, he'd have a long time to make it up to her. Like forever. Several times during the night, he w
anted to ask her for forever, but didn't. While she wasn't placing any conditions on their reconciliation, he understood that asking her to marry him was probably too soon. He couldn't even bring himself to ask if she would be moving back with him.
But someday soon, he hoped, they'd be having a discussion about marriage. He began to think about the ways in which he could ask her to spend his life with him, when he was interrupted by his phone ringing. He looked at the caller ID. Liv. He considered not answering it, but ultimately decided he had some things he needed to tell her.
“Jack, thank goodness I found you. I’ve called so many times and you haven’t answered. I was beginning to worry about you. You were so upset about Tess—”
“I'm fine,” he said.
“Now that the funeral is over, I was thinking of getting away for awhile and since things with you and Tess are over, maybe you'd like to come with me.”
“Things are not over between me and Tess.”
“Oh. So you intend to try and patch things up?”
“We've reconciled.”
There was a pause on her end. “How wonderful. I'm so happy for you, Jack.”
Jack could hear the disappointment, maybe even irritation in her voice. “I won't be able to see you anymore,” Jack said, wanting to get to the point of the conversation.
“I understand. If I were Tess, I wouldn't want you hanging out with me either.”
Jack rolled his eyes at Liv's arrogance. “She didn't ask me not to see you. In fact, she didn't give me any hoops to jump through.”
Again there was a pause. “Then why can't we see each other? We've been friends for so long.”
Jack rubbed his hand over his face as he prepared to say what he knew Liv wouldn’t take well. “You've lied and manipulated me and it nearly cost me everything.”
“So you think I'm a murderer now too?”
“No.”
“Then what are you talking about? I didn't lie or manipulate you.”
Jack sighed. He wasn't about to share what he knew about Charles' vasectomy because he didn't know how Daniel and Tess planned to deal with it. “You were there for me once when I needed you, and I wanted to help you too. But I can't do or be what you want. There is no future for us. There never was.”
